Sunday, March 31, 2013

A Blessed Day

Although I’ve pretty much exhausted my collection of the
cards and keepsakes saved among the papers of Agnes Tully Stevens, I’ll share a
few more items in posts this Spring. Today’s keepsake, as yesterday’s, was not
originally intended for use during this Holy Week, but still fits
appropriately.

This card was obtained from a church organization in New York. Enlarging the
inscription on the reverse of the card, I can see the insignia imprinted there
identifies the organization as Seraphic Mass Association for Capuchin Foreign
Missions.

The occasion for which the card was presented was not as
joyous an activity as that which we commemorate today. The card, marked with
William Stevens’ name, was dated May 14, 1946. This was just a few days after
Agnes’ husband passed away—possibly a gift from a friend intended as
consolation for the widow. By her choice to keep this card among her
possessions throughout the rest of her life—Agnes, never remarried, lived to be
ninety six—demonstrates her longstanding appreciation for that friend’s
kindness.

Seraphic Mass Association

210 West 31st StreetNew York 1, N.Y.

William Stevens

Has been enrolled in the

Association and will share in all

The benefits, especially in the

Fruits of 188,500 masses each year.

May 14, 1946,

Fr. Bruno, Delegate

Requested by Ceale Scott

Today, so many of us celebrate the occasion of Easter—our
remembrance of Resurrection Day—joining with family, friends, and those we
consider most important in our lives. It’s a time for many to head to church in
gratitude for what the day signifies. Many spend this day joining with others
for food and festivities.

That would make sense, Wendy. Not being Catholic myself, I have a lot to learn about such traditions, gifts and tokens. What seem like little bits of paper turn out to carry such significance to those receiving them.

PS - here's a small world story for you: I was just reading the engagement announcements in today's morning paper (Virginian Pilot). Here's a future bridegroom who is the grandson of the late Mr. & Mrs. Ralph Leonard Bean of Hallowell, Maine. I wonder if he's yours.

Believe me, I have a steep learning curve ahead of me when it comes to discovering the best way to preserve all these items. At least, the scanning step is already done...

I'm reading through a couple books with helpful archiving information. Hopefully, I can share that information I'm gleaning in some future posts about the books, as they have a lot of applicable tips. I'm sure I'm not alone in this journey!

About Me

It is my contention that, after a lifetime, one of the greatest needs people have is to be remembered. They want to know: have I made a difference?
I write because I can't keep for myself the gifts others have entrusted to me. Through what I've already been given--though not forgetting those to whom I must pass this along--from family I receive my heritage; through family I leave a legacy. With family I weave a tapestry. These are my strands.